The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is awarding more than $888,000 to assist six communities.
A release by the agency Wednesday said the Community Development Block Grants are used to help "small communities and rural areas" with infrastructure improvements.
The grants allow those communities to apply for assistance covered by the General Assistance and Innovative Projects line item.
All cities and counties are eligible for the grants, with the exception of 14 cities that receive direct funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than half of the people benefiting from the grants must be of low to moderate income for a community to qualify.
The commission is awarding this year's grants to the following communities:
- Woodruff County is receiving $116,160 to renovate its food bank building;
- Trumann is receiving $82,500 for an adult education center.
- Haynes is receiving $156,420 for a youth entrepreneur center.
- Peach Orchard is receiving $134,910 for a tornado shelter and siren.
- Stuttgart is receiving $220,000 to replace the roof of its community center.
- De Queen is receiving $178,090 to build a wastewater line for its assisted living center.